When you apply for VA disability, you likely need help quickly. It can take the VA anywhere from 90 to 120 days to decide on a claim at the regional office. For some claims, it takes even longer. How long it takes for the VA to consider a claim depends on the workload in the regional office, the complexity of your disabilities, and the completeness of your initial claim.
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You don’t want to wait when you need financial help from the VA due to service-related conditions. After all, bill collectors don’t care that you’re waiting on a government agency for help. You need answers to the question, “How long does a VA claim take?”
In this article about VA claim wait times:
How long does a VA claim take?
As seen above, VA claim wait times fluctuate from month to month. While the current average wait time for an initial claim decision is 84.7 days , it’s important to understand the VA’s estimates on wait times often do not accurately reflect how long you will wait.
Why? There are a few reasons. One is the VA has a large backlog of claims and appeals that has grown significantly post-PACT Act. Another factor is the VA does not always decide cases in the order they were filed.
Some which may jump ahead of yours in the queue include:
- Terminally ill veterans
- Vets facing extreme financial hardship
- Qualifying elderly veterans
- Former POWs
- Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients
Lastly, BVA remands can also add to your wait time and add to the number of claims that move ahead of yours. In 2024, more than 28% of AMA claims and 44% of Legacy claims were remanded after already waiting their turn in line for months or years.
Wait time estimates do not fully take all these factors into consideration.
Having an attorney will not speed up the process, but be assured we are always looking for ways you may qualify for priority processing.
Current average wait time for VA claims:
What happens to a VA disability application?
After you file a disability claim, the VA informs you via an onscreen message (if you submitted online) or through a letter (if you mailed your claim) that they received your claim. Then it takes specific steps to process your claim.
Processing a VA disability application requires:
- Initial Review – The VA assigns your claim to a reviewer and determines if your application is complete.
- Evidence Gathering and Review – During this step, the VA may ask for evidence from you health care providers, governmental agencies, or other parties who may have the information they need. Once they have all of the evidence they need, the VA reviews the information. The VA may return to this step repeatedly during the process if they think they need more evidence to make an informed decision. They also may require you to have a C&P exam during this stage of the process.
- Decision – The VA decides your case once all of the evidence is in order and reviewed.
- Notification – Once your case is decided, the VA prepares your decision packet. The VA mails you the packet in 7 to 10 business days following the decision.
If you disagree with the VA’s decision on your case, you may choose to appeal.
VA initial review
After the VA receives your claim, it will move into the initial review stage. During the initial review, the VA will review your medical diagnosis and your service record and determine if the two are connected (the link between the two is called a medical nexus).
During the initial review process, the VA will decide if they need any more evidence from you to support your claim or if the claim is incomplete. If it is, they will ask for a complete claim or further information. VA usually informs you about when they need the information by, although the more time you take, the longer it will take for your claim to process.
If they don’t need more information and your application is complete, they’ll move to the full evidence-gathering stage, if applicable.
What is my VA claim status?
While how quickly your VA claim will process is somewhat unknown, you can check your claim’s status at any time. Your claim status tells you where in the process described above your VA disability application is. You can check it through your My VA account.
To check your claim status:
- Visit Your “My VA” Dashboard – This link is at the top right corner of your government account (login.gov or ID.me, for example).
- Scroll to the “Track Claims” Section – This section shows a summary of the status of any open claims or appeals.
- Click “View Status” for a Specific Claim – Choosing to view the status will take you to a page with the latest information about that specific claim and supporting evidence.
How to speed up a VA disability claim
There’s not much you can do to speed up your VA disability claim unless you qualify to expedite it. The only other thing you can do to help the claims process go more quickly and smoothly is to ensure that your original claim information is as complete as possible.
Some of your medical conditions may be secondary service-connected to your injuries. You will likely need to submit medical documentation of your service-connected injury for VA disability compensation claims. Make sure all documents are completed accurately and that any supplemental information to help the VA decide your case is included.
Woods & Woods’ experience will give you the best chance to get what you deserve.
T.K.
From a Google review for Woods & Woods
Our VA disability lawyers can help
Woods & Woods has helped thousands of veterans get the VA benefits they deserve. Call us for a free case evaluation to find out how we can help. If we take your case, you only pay if we win.
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Frequently asked questions
It can take the VA anywhere from 90 to 120 days to decide on a claim that isn’t expedited. How long it takes depends on the workload in the regional office, the complexity of your disabilities, and the completeness of the claim. You can assist in helping the process go more smoothly and quickly by ensuring that your initial claims information is complete and comprehensive.
Yes, you can check the status of your VA claim at any time by logging onto your official government account and reviewing claim status.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
